Slain deputy's daughter has battled cancer, outcry of support for family on Facebook

PJ O'Keefe, WCPO Digital

12:27 PM, May 10, 2011

3:57 PM, May 11, 2011

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People in Warren County are grieving the loss of Sgt. Dulle.

WCPO

Maddie Dulle

Sgt. Brian Dulle (Courtesy of Warren County Sheriff's Office)

TURTLECREEK TWP., Ohio - An outcry of support has come via social media for the family of Sgt. Brian Dulle, who was struck and killed trying to stop a suspect fleeing from police.

Sgt. Dulle, 36, was killed Tuesday morning in Turtlecreek Township when he attempted to put stop sticks down to stop a suspect who was involved in a high speed chase with police and that suspect struck him with their vehicle.

Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims was visibly emotional at a news conference Tuesday morning that discussed details of the incident.

"Brian was a tremendous worker, great personality and like a lot of us, always liked to play practical jokes. (He really helped keep) that family atmosphere that we have come to have," Sims said.

Dulle had been with the Warren County Sheriff's Office since 1999 and is survived by his wife and three kids, including 10-year-old Maddie, who has battled cancer twice in her young life. She has fought back and beat the cancer both times.

The family started up Maddie's Hope to raise money for cancer research and support families at Children's Hospital.

Maddie's Hope Facebook page shows plenty of photos of Maddie, her family and her dad, and has seen an outcry of support for the tragedy that struck the family Tuesday with comments coming almost every minute.

Many of the comments lend support and condolences, with most offering love and prayers for the family. Many Facebook users have also changed their profile photos to Warren County Sheriff's Office badges with blue ribbons over them to show support for the Dulle family and fallen officers across the country.

Sims says this is the first Warren County sheriff's deputy in memory to die in the line of duty.